John Grupp stories

North Allegheny hockey skates to quick start under 1st-year coach

The North Allegheny hockey team got off to one of its best starts in 20 years, but Justin Glock is staying grounded. “They are well aware that I think we can play a lot better,” the first-year coach said. “It’s still a work in progress.” So far, it’s working. The...
North Allegheny girls defy expectations with WPIAL championship, deep state playoff run

The North Allegheny girls soccer team saved its best for last. After entering the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs as a third-place section finisher and a fifth-seeded underdog, the Tigers used a remarkable run to put together arguably the most memorable postseason in program history. “We were kind of overlooked because...
Hampton’s Rebekah Hall completes comeback with WPIAL cross country title

The Hampton girls didn’t repeat at the 2025 WPIAL Class 2A cross country championships, but they did rejoice. Junior Rebekah Hall, who last season helped the Talbots to their first-ever team title, became the first Hampton runner in 27 years to bring home a WPIAL individual cross country championship. One...
No regrets for North Allegheny boys soccer after ‘tricky season’

The North Allegheny boys soccer team ended this season with 10 wins, six losses, three ties and zero regrets. In the wake of a 1-0 loss at top-seeded Peters Township in the WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals on Oct. 25, the No. 8 Tigers recalled a “tricky season” with many more...
North Allegheny has experience in putting bye week to good use

North Allegheny coach Art Walker is getting better at byes. For the fourth consecutive season, the Tigers — and the rest of the WPIAL Class 6A bracket — will have a bye week to prepare for their playoff opener, and Walker has grown more comfortable with the atypical schedule. “When...
North Allegheny girls tennis doubles down on winning season

There were no troubles at doubles this season for the North Allegheny girls tennis team. The Tigers’ doubles teams went a combined 42-2 while leading North Allegheny to its fifth consecutive Section 2-3A title and a spot in the PIAA Class 3A playoffs. The No. 1 doubles team of senior...
North Allegheny frustrated after PIAA tennis loss to late-arriving opponent

North Allegheny’s Michelle Weniger has witnessed a lot in her two decades as girls tennis coach, but nothing like this. The NA Hall of Fame coach was still looking for answers one day after a 3-2 loss to Hollidaysburg on Tuesday in the PIAA Class 3A team tournament in which...
North Allegheny to play rare role of underdog at WPIAL cross country meet

The North Allegheny girls cross country team finds itself in an unusual position heading into the WPIAL Class 3A championships. The seven-time defending champion Tigers are underdogs — and in a big way. “I think it’s pretty refreshing, to be honest,” North Allegheny coach John Neff said. “Sometimes we go...
North Allegheny golfer rallies to keep season alive

North Allegheny senior Kayli Dings entered the final round of the WPIAL golf championships feeling like she had nothing to lose. And not much to gain. After a disappointing first round gave her a slim chance to qualify the PIAA championships, Dings lowered her hopes heading into the WPIAL individual...
Hampton’s Josh Wukitch motivated for return to WPIAL championships

Hampton’s top cross country runner is swapping a walking boot for racing spikes for the WPIAL Class 2A championships. Junior Josh Wukitch, who missed last year’s finals with a broken foot, is back to full strength and motivated for his return to the WPIAL meet Oct. 23 at White Oak...
Hampton girls soccer goes into attack mode to earn WPIAL playoff spot

Hampton first-year girls soccer coach Chris Garraffa wants his players to focus on possibility, not perfection. Garraffa has instilled an attacking mindset in his debut season with the WPIAL Class 3A playoff-bound Talbots, emphasizing increased scoring chances above pinpoint passes. “We are willing to go to the goal immediately compared...
North Allegheny grad Lucia Wells finds success in new role for Pitt women’s soccer

Former North Allegheny star Lucia Wells is more focused on her place on a soccer field than her location on one. Wells, NA’s all-time leading goal scorer, has transitioned into a versatile two-way player with multiple starts at forward and defender for Pitt this season. “Honestly, I’m good playing anywhere,”...
Senior standout sets stage for North Allegheny girls volleyball

This past summer, North Allegheny’s Keely McMahon-Regan worked at the NA girls volleyball camp for grade-schoolers. This fall, she is putting on a clinic. Tasked with delivering pinpoint passes to a frontline led by a pair of all-state hitters, the senior setter is the lead playmaker for the eight-time defending...
North Allegheny boys soccer spreading the wealth

The North Allegheny boys soccer team is using balance to replace brilliance. After graduating their top five scorers, including an all-state forward, the Tigers are spreading around the goals on their path to the WPIAL Class 4A playoffs. “The way we play, it is so focused on possession and keeping...
North Allegheny wrestling dynasty pins down another Hall of Fame spot

Jeff Alexander was always the smallest guy in a North Allegheny wrestling room packed with state champions and bad intentions. The 1990 graduate, who arrived on varsity as a 4-foot-10, 98-pound freshman, became a key part of one of the most dominating wrestling dynasties in WPIAL history. “I got nervous...
Behind 8 new starters, North Allegheny defense wraps up solid 1st half

North Allegheny’s defense had nearly as many shutouts in the first half of the season as it had returning starters. The Tigers’ new-look defensive unit answered a bunch of offseason questions by allowing a Class 6A-low average of 11.2 points through five weeks while blanking Gateway and Penn Hills in...

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